Farewell (and thanks) to Conor McKerr

It was sad to see the departure announced today of Connor McKerr, a day after he entered the county record books for being the youngest player to take ten wickets in a match for us.

It would be lovely to see him back again on loan, perhaps next season, but there's a good old trivia question in there along the lines of 'which Derbyshire player took ten wickets in a match and never played for the county again'.

I understand Surrey recalling a player in fine form, but unless they have serious injury issues, I am unsure how Conor will leapfrog Messrs Curran (times two), Footitt, Rampaul, Dernbach and Meaker. That's two sides worth of seamers and a luxury that few could afford, certainly not us.

As Kim Barnett said today, the expectation is that Hardus Viljoen and Will Davis will be fit for the Glamorgan game and add a more penetrative edge to the bowling, as of course will Imran Tahir. I hope so, as I am sure you do.

I see a big future for McKerr, however and Derbyshire's role in his development will not be forgotten. He has now gone from a talented young man who has taken age group international wickets to a seamer who has proven he can get men out at first-class level. Psychologically that is a big step and he will doubtless kick on as a result of it. How Surrey keep seven seamers happy is a problem that they will have to deal with.

The two-week break will let a few pulled muscles and bruised bones be restored to fitness,
not to mention a few bruised egos and consciences. There were walking wounded by the end of the Northamptonshire match and were there another game in the next few days, a few players may have been struggling. Thankfully there is time to restore body and mind and a better team will take the field at Cardiff.

Hopefully the virus that attacked Luis Reece's heart is not a long or even medium-term thing, as he is a worthy cricketer who has done pretty well this year. There are things to build on, but there is potential in a man who can both bat and bowl.

Two final points, one of them county-related. I overlooked the signing of Hamidullah Qadri's first professional contract. I have heard a lot of good things about this young man, who is a genuine all-rounder, bowling off-spin. He has time on his side and there is a large gap in a Derbyshire eleven for such a player.

I wish him well and look forward to his continued development. Should he make the first team, which seems inevitable, he will be the first Afghan-origin player to represent the county and quite possibly play the county game. That's one that I will leave to the statisticians...

Finally, what on earth happened to South Africa yesterday? They always seem to blow it at big tournaments and a much-vaunted batting line-up flopped badly and were as disappointing as our own side, probably more so.

It amply illustrated, of course, that collapses can happen to any side at any level. If Amla, de Kock, Du Plessis, de Villiers and Miller can come and go with poor shot selection and reckless running, what chance have the rest got?

By the same token, I love the variety in the Indian attack and think their opening bowlers, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah, are seriously talented players. Throw in talented spinners in Jadeja and Ashwin and they are a match for any side.

An England v India final looks likely and that will be well worth anyone's money.

More from me soon.